DAILY 49ER California State University, Long Beach
Vol. LXVII, Issue 42
www.daily49er.com
Blind to American genocide American Indian History Month observed with a display representing the decimation of California’s indigenous people. By Miranda Andrade-Ceja Staff Writer
Thick clusters of golden flags flutter in the breeze, dug into grass adjacent to a blindfolded Prospector Pete. The plaque at the 49er mascot’s feet reads: “Blind to history 18461873.” The clusters of flags dwindle as the eye travels, until sparse yellow is drowning in a sea of green. The flags are part of a demonstration assembled by the American Indian Student Council in honor of Na-
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
tive American Heritage Month. November is Native American Heritage Month, which will be observed with four weeks of events hosted by the American Indian Student Council, American Indian Science and Engineering, and the American Indian Studies Program. This week’s event, titled “Genocide Awareness Week,” aims to redefine how students and faculty at California State University, Long Beach, interpret the genocide of California’s indigenous peoples. Student member of the American Indian Student Council Miztlayolxochitl Aguilera said that the display of varying flags represented the “three Californias”; an idea symbolizing three eras within California, defined by the acts of settlers and their impact on indigenous peoples. The first Cal-
See HISTORY, page 5
Blinded by history By Colton Maines Staff Writer
CSULB American Indian Studies blindfolded the Prospector Pete statue late last Wednesday to promote Genocide Awareness Week. The university approved both the blindfold and the artwork to go along with the series of events in recognition of Native American Heritage Month according to American Indian Studies Program Director Craig Stone. “It’s definitely not guerilla tactics,” said Ashley Glenesk, the vice president of the American Indian Student Council. CSULB itself stands on the grounds of the indigenous Tongva nation and specifically the Puvunga burial site where many artifacts of the culture have been found, said James Manseau Sauceda, the director of Multicultural Affairs. If little else, it was hoped it would provoke “a positive conversation,” Sauceda said. “It’s a history people literally walk over.”
Stone said that the blindfold covering Prospector Pete’s eyes acts as a metaphor to how many people will turn a blind eye to the brutal crimes done towards the indigenous people by the “Forty-Niners” during the Gold Rush. This is especially evident with the plaque the AIS placed that says “Blind to History: 1846-1873” with the date being a direct reference to Brendan C. Lindsay’s Murder State: California’s Native American Genocide, 1846-1873, Stone said. Over the course of the month there will be a variety of events and panels including the ‘When was the first time you heard about heard about the California Indian Genocide?’ panel Nov. 9 to discuss the feelings and the hardships Native Americans today face, the ‘Rock your Mocs’ where students are supposed to wear moccasins from Nov. 8-15 and finally a ‘Flash Mob Community Drum’ to explore the indigenous cultural music on Nov. 30. Yasmin Cortez also contributed to this article.
Trang L e | Daily 49er
The Prospector Pete statue outside Language Arts 5 has been blindfolded since late last Wednesday night. American Indian Studies also placed a plaque beneath Pete with a sign that reads “Blind to history 1846-1873.”
Culture Corner
Round two at The Beach International student goes back to the Beach for some more fun in the sun. By Mimi Nguyen Staff Writer Helena Unger | Daily 49er
Education English and History major Johannes Schoster, 25, is an international student from Münster, Germany.
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Arts & Life 4
Welcome to the Culture Corner, a recurring series focused on the homesickness, culture collision and assimilation that California State University, Long Beach’s international students experience. It’s a chance to learn about another culture and see your own through a different pair of eyes. International student, Johannes Schoster from Germany is back in America for another semester visit during his graduate studies. Schoster
Opinions 6
had visited CSULB as an international student while pursuing his bachelor’s degree a few semesters prior. While Schoster loves San Diego beaches and the Vegas nightlife, he still enjoys campus life at CSULB. The Daily 49er spoke to Schoster about his transition to the Beach and his views on the current refugee situation involving his home country.
See CULTURE, page 4
Sports 7